Double standard? Media largely ignored Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" controversy

[antiimperialist]

Mon, Oct 1, 2007 4:13pm ET
Media Matters for America

Numerous major media outlets that covered the controversy surrounding a September 10 ad placed by MoveOn.org in The New York Times -- headlined "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" -- nonetheless have yet to cover the bipartisan outcry over remarks made by Rush Limbaugh during the September 26 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, in which he characterized service members who advocate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as "phony soldiers." Notwithstanding numerous denunciations of Limbaugh's remarks by members of Congress from both parties, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, ABC's World News, the CBS Evening News, NBC's Nightly News, and CNN programs have all ignored Limbaugh's remarks and the ensuing denunciations, despite having covered -- in some cases extensively -- the MoveOn.org ad controversy. In addition, there was no mention of Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" comments or the bipartisan criticism of them on the September 30 editions of This Week, Meet the Press, Face the Nation, or Fox News Sunday.

From September 10-13, there were eight articles and an op-ed in The Washington Post, four New York Times articles, two articles and one op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, one Wall Street Journal op-ed, and one USA Today article about the MoveOn.org ad and the ensuing controversy. In addition, the MoveOn.org ad was frequently discussed on CNN's Newsroom and The Situation Room, and was reported on the September 10 editions of ABC's World News and Nightline, the September 11 and 12 editions of ABC's Good Morning America, the September 13 edition of NBC's Nightly News, and the September 16 editions of ABC's This Week, NBC's Meet the Press, CBS' Face the Nation, and Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday. However, as of 12 p.m. ET October 1, the same newspapers and television news programs had not reported Limbaugh's comments and the ensuing condemnation of his remarks.

Read more: http://mediamatters.org/items/200710010010?f=h_latest

[ccpup]

1. double standard?

with our Media? no, never. :sarcasm:

[OHdem10]

2. No one touches Limbaugh except when forced, as in the

drug story.

This has been a pattern for years--the untouchable.

[bemildred]

3. I'm just annoyed that he walked away from the drug bust when so many are in jail.

Personally I would give him an unlimited supply of free Oxycontin to enjoy without fear. I'm sure he would not abuse it. :evilgrin:

[airwing_jarhead]

4. Phony Soldiers

He did not characterize service members who advocate the withdrawal as "phony soldiers" we was referring to a hack. A wannabe that got separated from the Army after 44 days. A "hero" who falsified awards to further himself. To further educate yourself here is a link to the entire transcript of what was being talked about.

Enjoy.

Airwing_jarhead

[antiimperialist]

5. You forgot the link

Perhaps because you know the transcript proves that Limbaugh was talking about pro-withdrawal soldiers in general?